Natsume Soseki, born Natsume Kinnosuke, in what is now Kikui, Shinjuku, lived as a writer in Japan from 1867 to 1916 , first beginning his writing career when he began submitting haiku to literary magazines in 1903 and soon became a success within Japan with the publication of his satirical novel "I Am A Cat" in 1905 that is well known and loved to this day. "Botchan" continues this humorous, satirical style by focusing on the morality of the daily interactions of a rambunctious youth who travels to Matsuyama from Tokyo to teach Mathematics to students at a middle school. This translation preserves the humour of the original names that add a personal depth to these characters, perhaps the humour and perceptions of this Darling Master will enchant you too. This novel is in part responsible for the fame of Dogo Onsen that Botchan frequents.